Conference Services Manager

NFM & J LP•Chicago, IL

3d•$67,000 - $72,000•Onsite

About The Position

Maverick Hotels and Restaurants is a free-thinking organization that challenges the process, shakes up the industry and brings unparalleled results to our projects by offering a stage for our team members to express their individual genius and unique talents. Employee success starts with a genuine partnership. Maverick is committed to creating high-quality employment opportunities. We are dedicated to fostering a culture of inclusion and growing a diverse workforce. We strive for the Maverick spirit of substance over form, bringing the creativity and talent of inspired individuals together to accomplish great things. Come join us – become a MAVERICK! We are seeking a dynamic Conference Services Manager who operates at the intersection of hospitality, entertainment, and commercial strategy. This is a leadership role for someone who doesn’t just manage demand—they create it. In this Role – You will be responsible for managing the full Conference Services experience for groups and events booked by the Sales Team, serving as the primary point of contact from turnover through post-event follow-up. This role ensures seamless execution, exceptional client service, operational alignment, and revenue optimization throughout the event lifecycle.

Requirements

Proficient in Microsoft Office applications suite.
Proficient in Delphi Sales Management System and Hilton Property Management system
Excellent people skills and possesses a positive, outgoing, and naturally curious personality.
Ability to work productively with other employees as part of a team.
Demonstrate a high-level of proficiency with computers.
Ability to be a clear thinker in pressure situations and exercise good judgment. Remain calm and courteous in demanding and difficult customer situations.
Ability to handle obstacles in a positive and professional manner and to effectively communicate these problems, along with suggested solutions.
Minimum of 3 years working in a Sales role in hospitality
High School Diploma or GED
Previous guest relations training
Excellent reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the English Language.

Nice To Haves

Experience in hospitality industry in similar position, highly preferred

Responsibilities

Timely and thorough introduction to client(s) after Sales turnover (Sales to Conference Services)
Manage the client relationship from contract execution through post-event follow-up, serving as the primary point of contact throughout the planning process. Provide proactive communication, answer questions, offer solutions, and ensure a seamless client experience by collecting rooming lists by established deadlines, monitoring group pickup, communicating cutoff dates, and advising clients of potential attrition exposure.
Partner with clients to review billing, reconcile payments, and finalize invoices with accuracy and timeliness. Following each event, strengthen client loyalty by sending personalized thank-you notes, facilitating loyalty point awards, inviting clients to share positive reviews, and proactively exploring opportunities to secure future business and repeat events.
Approval is required by DOSM to make modifications to agreed upon clauses such as extending a cut-off date, adding additional group rooms, lowering F&B minimums etc.
Review set up of meeting and events and be the on-property client contact during the event.
Responsible for creating BEO's, Social Table Diagrams, Group Resumes, finalizing Banquet Checks daily, charging deposits, authorizing estimated final balance prior to arrival
Ensuring all VIP’s, Group Leaders are noted and flagged in the appropriate systems.
Responsible for creating welcome cards for group VIP’s and arranging any welcome amenities.
Welcome group contacts and event leaders upon arrival, provide on-site contact information, and serve as the primary hotel liaison throughout the event.
Will orchestrate the weekly BEO Meeting for Sable/Lirica and Group Resume Meeting.
Will keep the Operations and F&B department updated on all upcoming groups/events and notified of any last-minute needs/changes.
Coordinate with banquet team to ensure each buffet has banquet F&B item cards detailing what is being served. If needed, provide support and print or create the F&B item cards.
Actively upsell guest rooms, banquet enhancements, and hotel services to maximize revenue beyond contracted Food & Beverage minimums while achieving established revenue goals.
Masterful use of Delphi for customer relations and sales management, logging client correspondence, and activity, using traces, detailing out groups following the SOP’s outlined by DOSM.
Assist DOSM with Delphi system to keep menus and pricing updated and group bookings clean and orderly along with effective use of the Sales Shared Systems and online folders.
Attend weekly sales/revenue meeting and other scheduled meetings to support business operations determined by DOSM/Sales Leadership.
Conduct group pre-con meetings (if needed) and property tours with customers, visiting guest rooms, meeting space and banquet facilities, Lirica Restaurant, as well as other hotel facilities.
Work in partnership with Director/Manager/Supervisors of F&B and Culinary Team for well executed events.
Partner with operations and other departments to ensure full participation in servicing accounts.
Perform special projects and other responsibilities as assigned by management.